My OperaMore on Garage Band
Wednesday, February 23, 2005 6:26:12 PM
There are times, and situations, where a person doesn't want "bells and whistles" in their software or hardware. Particularly, when one is first encountering new technology. Many, for example enter the finale vs. sibelius, or even mac vs. pc debates with this as a point. Some will argue that "sibelius is more user friendly, easier to get what you want," and equally "the mac platform is so user friendly and intuitive, PCs have all this configuring you need to do and to really get them to do what you want you need to know DOS." This is not far from truth. However, there are times when you want configurability, the ability to make the technology do anything. Yes, it can be painstaking, time consuming, but your final product can be different. It may also have something to do with what one is used to. Some like to drive Hummers, and some, zipping around in their porsches, say "whay would anyone want that big clunky thing. Can't even park it!"
In both Garage Band, Sibelius, the Mac platform in general, I suffer grief. Frequently, consistently, for years. Too many times I meet situations where I know what I want but either the software is too streamlined to allow it, or the hardware is too intuitive and does not allow modifications (or I can picture in my mind exactly what I would do "if I were on my own machine"). All I know is that I have been happier in Finale, Cake Walk, Musicator Audio, and Windows. Rarely do I meet a situation I can't barge my way through. Again, perhaps it is just what I'm more accustomed to. This does not reflect admiration for, respect for, or understanding of the purpose of the tools. I also understand that those less experienced need "step one" not "step three" and sink or swim. Perhaps we'll have more people involved in technology and music if we don't have as steep a learning curve. I do follow a philosophy of give credit where credit is due, and be as well versed and versatile as possible. One should not ignore or dismiss certain technology simply because one is used to something else. Neither should one dismiss certain music just because one likes something else.... but that's for a different blog.
I find it unnerving sometimes when people/companies/industry "toot their own horn." Mac has no reason not to be proud of GarageBand. It serves an important purpose. However, having been in recording studios, I do not agree that GarageBand is the "equivalent of a six foot tall, $100,000 rack of studio processing equipment and a room full of guitar amplifiers." Although computers have made it possible to put out a nice quality recording of one's own music, and although computers have infiltrated and been integrated into professional recording studios, there is no replacement yet for a recording studio with racks of hardware.
In both Garage Band, Sibelius, the Mac platform in general, I suffer grief. Frequently, consistently, for years. Too many times I meet situations where I know what I want but either the software is too streamlined to allow it, or the hardware is too intuitive and does not allow modifications (or I can picture in my mind exactly what I would do "if I were on my own machine"). All I know is that I have been happier in Finale, Cake Walk, Musicator Audio, and Windows. Rarely do I meet a situation I can't barge my way through. Again, perhaps it is just what I'm more accustomed to. This does not reflect admiration for, respect for, or understanding of the purpose of the tools. I also understand that those less experienced need "step one" not "step three" and sink or swim. Perhaps we'll have more people involved in technology and music if we don't have as steep a learning curve. I do follow a philosophy of give credit where credit is due, and be as well versed and versatile as possible. One should not ignore or dismiss certain technology simply because one is used to something else. Neither should one dismiss certain music just because one likes something else.... but that's for a different blog.
I find it unnerving sometimes when people/companies/industry "toot their own horn." Mac has no reason not to be proud of GarageBand. It serves an important purpose. However, having been in recording studios, I do not agree that GarageBand is the "equivalent of a six foot tall, $100,000 rack of studio processing equipment and a room full of guitar amplifiers." Although computers have made it possible to put out a nice quality recording of one's own music, and although computers have infiltrated and been integrated into professional recording studios, there is no replacement yet for a recording studio with racks of hardware.
